Printing-press attachment



H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May s. 192s 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 6, 1925. 1,555,812

H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT IHHII H l IIHIIIHIIHIUHIHHI l IIIIlIlHlIIHIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIHHIIIIIIIDIII' Oct. 6, 1925. 1,555,812

H. A. AGRiCOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1923 H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRE'SS ATTACHMENT Oct. 6, 1925.

Det. e, 1925g 1,555,812 v H. A. AGRFCLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May 5, 1923 11 Sheets-Sht 5 Oct. 6, 1925. 1,555,812

I-I. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May s, 1923 11- sheets-sheet H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT ont. 6,1925. 1,555,812

Filed May 5, 1923 1l Sheets-Sheet 7 Oct. 6, 1925. 555,8

H. A. AGRICOLA, JR 1 l2 PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May 3, 1923 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 H. ,A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May s. 192s 11 she'ets-sht 9 572/6577 far.' fle rma/7 ign/cala J.-

@y M y@ 11 Sheets-Sheet lo H. A. AGRICOLA, .m

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed may 1925 Oct. 6 1925- l 1,555,812

H. A. AGRECOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Filed May 5, 1923 11Y Sheets-Shelet 1l Patezated @ich 5, i925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN A. AGrl'xlICOLAy JR., OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF FORTY-NINE ONE- HUNDREDTHS TO JOSEPH E. LANE, 0F ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

PRINTING-PRESS ATTACHMENT.

Application filed May 3,

To ZZ fia-7mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HERMAN A. AGRiooLA, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Printing-Press Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to printing presses having multi-color attachments of the general kind set forth in ay applications, Serial Nos. 420,627 and 527,574, iiled, respectively, October 30, 1920, and January 7, 1922, Patent Nos. 1,481,495 and 1,503,222, respectively.

The features constituting my invention are designed for embodiment in one or more units which may be conveniently attached to presses of standard type so as to adapt them to perform chromatic printing. This invention edects the above results by the employment of a reciprocating carriage which supports the inlring, transferring and printing rollers the rotation whereof results from the useof a rack and an intermeshing train of gears which drive the rollers with each reciprocation of the carriage; and also by the employment of an inking plate in whichare assembled a plurality of pinions provided with means for effecting intermittent rotation thereof, when desired, the several pinions being disposed fiush with the working face of the plate so as to cooperate therewith in distributing inl: of one or more colors over certain selected rollers, or portions thereof. The invention consists further in numerous other features of construction and combinations of parts as will more clearly hereinafter appear from the specification and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the present improvements are illustrated .in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a conventional printing press showing the carriage attachment in its elevated position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same showing the chase with a. plurality of individual type sections carried therein;

1923. Serial No. 636,371.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the rear side of the carriage containing the several inking,

transferring and printing rollers;

F ig. 4 is a horizontal section through the press frame, together with chase thereon, and also through the carriage, taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

5 is a vertical section through the carriage and inlring plate, the plane of the section being line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

F ig. 6 is a similar view showing the carriage in a lowered position;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in elevation of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 6:

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 7

F ig. 9 is a Vertical section through the carriage taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a view in elevation of the working face of the inlring plate showing one adjustment of the several pinions incorporated in its structure;

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing another adjustment of its pinions;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line 1.2-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view in elevation of the rear side of the inlring plate;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary detail, enlarged, showing a modified construction wherein the inking fountain is stationary;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view on line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive are views in elevation of the ink plate and chase frame showing four different arrangements of inlring pinions and type sections so as to produce in each instance a different printing result;

Figs. 20 to 22 inclusive are diagrammatic views showing in transverse section a carriage which is equipped with a modified form of latch, together with an automatic release therefor, three positions being indicated; and

Fig. 23 is a front elevation of the carriage having the modified structure shown in the previous figures.

The attachment of this invention is applicable to printing presses of different kinds, such, for instance, as rotary, flat bed, etc. For purposes of exemplilication, l have represented in Figs. l and 2 a job press A pivoted to oscillate about a horizontal axis through the medium of a pitman B which derives motion from a suitable power source.

Mounted on the press are the usual rocker arms C arranged to oscillate about an. axis D, the means for effecting such oscillations being of any suitable kind. rlllhese arms C which lie upon opposite sides of the press are connected as by means of a plate l on which is-carried a pair of brackets F for pivotally supporting two links Gr which are adjustably connected as at H with rocker arms l pivoted at J to swing upon a suitable bracket or support l. At the end of each roc-ker arm opposite the connection H is a pivotal connection L with an arm to which is secured a turn-buckle N which also connects vith another arm section O. The parts thus connected are adapted to reciprocate upon the forward side of the press a. carriage P whose construction in detail will presently be described. ln the kind of press shown, the carriage moves in a straight line wholly upon the front of the press, but the carriage may take other courses of travel such, for instance, as circular or angular, or, as in the case of a rot-ary press, relative movement may obtain with the carriage remaining stationary.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the carriage frame is shown as comprising end plates and 2l between the opposite extremities of which are extended top and bottom rails 22 and 23, respectively. Each end plate is formed with a pair of slots 24 which proceed inwardly from the forward side` of the carriage for an appreciable dista ce., and then downwardly to provide bearings for two shafts 25 and 26 which are disposed one vabove the other, as best shown in Fig. 9. The ends of these shafts are further journaled, in plates 27 of which there are four, each plate having a pin 28 which is received within a socket formed within the outer side of the proximate end plate 2() and 2l, and being bolted or otherwise secured thereto see Fig. l). In some such manner as this the two shafts may be securely mounted within the carriage in a mann-k which permits of their convenient assembly or disassembly relative thereto.

lhe end plates of the carriage entend renc wardly so as to lap past the sides of the press bed (see 4) whereon are mounted a pair of guide bars, one 30 arranged fon wardly of the other 31, these bars being disposed in the direction of travel which it is designed the carriageshould take. Between these bars is a space in which is slidingly received a co-o'penatingl guide block one. of which is mounted on a rearward extension at each end of the carriage. By the means suggested the carriage is adapted to be guided in reciprocating movements across the front of the press bed, being held always to the line of travel that is predetermined by the positioning of the several guide bars.

The two shafts 25 and 26 which may be journaled in the carriage in the manner described each serves as a mounting for a duplex roller system the components of each being designed to execute a limited swinging movement during travel of the carriage. Each roller system constitutes a unit in itself which `is independent of t-he other, although practically a duplicate thereof. Accordingly a description ofi only one roller system will follow, the understanding being that the same description and reference numerals will apply to the other system also.

r'idjacent the inner side of each end plate 2() and 2l a bea 1ing plate 36 and 35, respectively, these plates having. openings through which are extended the shafts 25 and 2G so as to be swingingly supported thereby. inasmuch as four such bearing plates are employed, two for each shaft, it follows that their arrangement is such as to providesuitable mountings for certain. rollers which may be positioned horizontally across the carriage.l Associated with each bearing plate is a stop member 37 and also a spring member 38, these two sets of members being shown as secured, respectively, to the inner sides and forward edges of the carriage and plates 2O and 2l (see Figs. 3 and 9). The spring members are each arranged to exert pressure upon a lug which. projects laterally from cach bearing plate and 3e so as to normally maintain the same against the stop member in a position such as is indica-ted in Fig. 9.

The various rollers which are mounted between the bearing plates 35 and 36 each include a shaft, there being four such shafts, numbered 40 to 43 inclusive, additional to the supporting shafts 25 or 26. The shafts 40 and 41 lie one below the other and be- ,low the supporting shaft in a substantially straight line; the shaft 42 lies forwardly of shafts 40 and 4l and equidistantly therefrom; while the shaft 48 is disposed forwardly of the others, and, equidistant with shaft 41, from shaft 42. A train of pinions, all of which may be of the same size, are employed to connect up these several shafts for a common drive, and for this purpose use is made of live pinions, numbered 44 to 48 incl'usive, which are mounted fast on the lsupporting shaft and remaining shafts 40 to 43 inclusive, respectively.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, these several pinions lie in slightly spaced relation to the bearing plate 35. Hthin each of these spaces at one end of the carriage is received a second bearing plate 50, a complementary plate 51 being also provided atthe opposite carriage end Where, it Will be noted, no pinions are required. These secn ond bearing plates also are supported on the shafts Q5 and 26 in eXactly the same manner as the previously described plates 35 and 36, so as to have capacity fora limited swinging movement about the same axis.

Mounted on the bearing plate 50 is a stub shaft 52 on which is fastened a pinion 53 Which may be somewhat larger than the remainder in the drive for the roller system: also between the bearing plates 50 and 5i is extended a roller shaft 54 Whereon is re ceived a pinion 55 in mesh with the pinion 53 which also is meshed with the pinion 4a, this latter pinion being adapted to drive the train that is carried by the other bearing plates 35 and 36. There is thus provided a duplex roller system having a common drive, each component of the system being mounted co-aXially to swing independently of the other. Reference should be had to Figs. 3 and 5 Where it appears that the pinions 48 are not aligned With the proximate pinions 55 in the othercomponent of the same system, although an opposite impression might be gained from Fig. 9. By locating the pinions 48 to one side of the others, and also laterally extending the meshing pinion 47, as shown, it is possible to connect up the several shafts in the manner described so that each component of the system is driven only through one common` pinion, viz, 44.

To effect rotation of the several shafts heretofore described, use is made of one further pinion 56 for each roller system, these being mounted on the inner side of the carriage end plate 2l in .meshing relation in each instance With the pinion ed and with the teeth of a rack 57 Which is provided upon the forward edge of the proximate guide bar 30. 'With such an arrangement., each reciprocation of the carriage Will cause a rotation of the two pinions 56 together with all the others in the several trains connected therewith, With the result that each component of both roller systems will be subjected to positive rotative movements.

Referring non7 to Fig. 3, it Will be noted that all of the shafts, with the exception of those numbered 25, 26 and 52, are built np throughout their central positions to provide rollers Which are suitable for receiving, transferring, or printing ink. This may be accomplished in any of the Well known manners, as, for example, by the use of a rubber composition which is formed to the desired length and diameter. The section of Fig. 5 suggests houT these several rollers are interrelated, it being requisite for the purpose of this invention that they be inter-engaged so as to effect a proper transfer of ink. Those rollers which, for conprinting rollers are removed venience, are termed t printing rollers are mounted on shafts e() and il and operate to inl; the form; shafts l2 carry a roller in engagement with both printing rollers and with a further roller on shaft 43, and this last roller which underlies au inling roller on shaft 54- is adapted to transfer ink therefrom to the others. For purposes of conwenience the several rollers just named are designated by reference numerals the saine as those applied to their respective shafts.

The shaft Whereon leach inlring roller is carried is broken near one end, its tive sections being provided with a one-Way driving connection, as best shown in Figs. il and 7. By preference this comprises a pair of co-related clutch heads 60 and 6l., having engaging' faces formed with circular ratchets 62 and 63, respectively. The head 60 is iixedly secured to one section of the shaft While the other head is slidingly, but non-rotatably, carried on the other shaft section. A spring 64 which bears against the sliding head operates to maintain this part yieldingly against the other head with the result. that a one-Way driving connection is at all times maintained.. To properly support one shaft section with respect. to the other, their meeting ends are preferably telescopingly related.

The two shafts el are further provided each with a pair of Wheels 65 and 66 (see Figs. 3 and those on one shaft being spaced apart slightly further than those on the other. For each pair of Wheels so arranged, there provided a pair of cam traclrs 6.7 and 68 (see 2) which are secured on the front face of the chase frame. 69, the mounting tor which is, usual, up-

the front of the press bed. The tracks 67 which are offset with respect te the others extend for perhaps half the vertical length of the chase frame, While the other tracks 68 extend for the balance of its length. According to this arrangement one pair of Wheels, say 65, will ride up and along` one set of rails during a portion of the carriage tr vel, `he other pair of Wheels. 66, thereafter riding up and along the other set of rails during the balance of the carriage travel. As these rails stand out slight y from the chase frame Whereon the Wheels are adapted normally to bear, it follows that any engagement of the Wheels with the rails Will cause the latter to be outwardly displaced. `When this occurs the entire a, ociated roller system will be swung around its supporting` shaft as an axis, from the position occupied by the upper roller system in Fig. 6, for example. to that which is shown for the lower roller system .in the same ligure Where, it Will he observed, the from Contact with the form. These movements of the Wheels on and off the rails are facilitated by suitably rounding the ends of the latter, as indicate-d in Figs. 2 and 6. rlhe ellect of the carriage movements, therefore, will be to swing outwardly first one roller system for one portion of its` travel across the form, and then the other system for another portion of its travel across the form, the printing rollers of each system being thereby held successively in contact with the form at all other points. ln other words, the construction heretofore described is such as to assure a successive contact for the printing rollers in the two systems with only predetermined portions of the form.

ln connection with each roller system, l provide means also for delivering a controlled supply of ink in one or more colors, to the printing rollers. This part of my invention is set forth most clearly in Figs. and 6. ils shown, it comprises a pair of troughshaped members each formed of two angular-ly related walls and 7l, the Yformer presenting one edge closely adjacent the inl-ing roller 54, and extending inwardly and upwardly away therefrom to connect with the other wall which ovcrhangs this roller. In addition, the face of the wall 7 0 which lies proximate to the other is preferably concave, as at 72, a flexible spring blade 7 3 being extended thereover with one of its edges lodged within the corner formed by the intersection of these two walls. The other blade edge, designated as 74, lies closely adjacent the inking roller 54, and, in fact, may engage therewith when the blade lies straight or substantially so. lf, however, the blade be displaced so that its body is forced into the concavitv of the wall 70, its edge 74 will recede slightly from the inlring roller, as indicated in Fig. 5. For accomplishing such a result, l provide a cam 75 adapted to move against the upper side of the blade, this cam being fixed to a stem 76 which is rotatably mounted in the overhanging wall 7l. At its upper end which is shown. as extending through the wall is formed a laterally bent finger 77 to Vafford a convenient means for rotating the stem and cam bv which the blade may be ad- -iustcd to the curved position desired. lt is contemplated that a supply of ink may be deposited on each blade, a different color of ink over each, if desired, so as to feed therefrom to separate end portions of the inkingroller, but that by some means as has been described a control may be exercised over the transfer of each such ink to the roller system.

This transfer of ink to the remaining rollers is subject to control by the operator as by the following means. Mounted on the slidable head 6l is a collar 80 having a cam face 81 on one of its sides. Associated with this collar cam is a pin 82 slidably mounted in a bar 83 which is extended across the carriage front with the bar ends suitably 'supported on brackets that are aflixed to the bearing plates 50 and 5l, An expansion "spring 85 is interposed. between the bar *83' and a head 86 formed on the upper' pin 'end adapted normally to maintain the pin in an ripper position with its head relatively close to the top carriage rail 22 in the case of the upper roller sysstem, and in the case of the lower system adjacent a shelf 87 which is extended laterally from the carriage end Qi. fis long as the parts are permitted to occupy the relative positions just indicated, the lower pin 'end will lie clear of the collar cam.

This relationship mayv not continue for long, however, because the shaft 43 carries an eccentric or cam 90 which is adapted to bear against both heads '60 and 6l to elevate the hiking roller 54 and thereby break con tact thereof with the transfer roller 43, this elevation occurring during rotation of the eccentric through the upper portion of its movement. This upward displacement o! the inlting roller also brings the collar cam into engaging relation with the lowerend of the pin 82 in consequence of which the slidable clutch head 6l is laterally shifted against the tension of the spring 64 so as to break the driving connection for the inkingl roller which is mounted on vshaft 54. Accordingly this roller alone remains stationn ary while the remainder of the roller system continues to function. It is to be observed also that with 'each upward movement of the eccentric, the inking roller not only is elevated, but also the associated parts which are carried between the bearing plates 50 and 5l. For4 this reason the pin head 8O is also brought into contact with the under side of the rail 22, or shelf 87, and forced down against the tension of the spring 85 so as to accelerate the movement 'of the pin into engaging position with the collar cam. Auxiliary means are further employed for suspending the inking roller in an upper, non-rotative, position as long as desired, and, as shown, this consists of certain latch members, one in the form of a spring-plate having a hook edge 96 adapted to engage the top carriage vrail 22 (see Figs. 3, 5, and Such a latch, in the case of the upper roller system, may be attached to any convenient part which is associated with the inking roller unit, as, for example, the overhanging wall 71. In thecase of the lower system, two such latch springs are suggested, each inthe form of an elongated strap 97, the lower end of which may connect with a bushing 98 surroundingthe proximate extremity of the shaft 54, the strapv extending upwardly therefrom and behind a plate 99 projecting` laterally from the carriage end so that its hook end 10() will tend to engage the top carriage rail 22 when the parts are raised sut'ficientlytor this purpose. ln this manner the inlring roller oit each system will be suspended indefinitely after any movement ot' the eccentric through the upper portion of its cycle, the duration ol this suspension being under the control of the attendant who may employ any sired means for a simultaneous release ot all the spring latches. Upon any such release the inking roller drops down, and, the clutch 61 being 'treed 'from the pin 82, the two end sections ot' shaft 54 are again loclred in driving relation for a brief interval. A suggestive automatic release tor the spring latches is shown in Figs. 2 to 23 inclusive, and will be described in detail hereinafter.

rlhe preceding description covers fully the carriage and its roller systems which, as a unit, is adaptable to printing presses of conventional design. Further advantages inherent in the present invention may be realized by the conjoint use also ot an inking plate assembly ot special construction. This is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5, and 10 to 1?) inclusive.

As shown, the plate assembly comprises two rectangular base plates 105 and 106 each adapted to extend across the front ot the press and be secured thereto adjacent the form. AThese base plates are connected adjnstably to each other by means oit a pair ont end rails 10.7, wherein are termed elongated openings 108 through each ot which is extended the shank of a bolt 109 which fastens to one end ot one ott the base plates, the head bearing with pressure upon the rail. .ln this manner the two plates are held in unitary relation hut with capacity for a limited adjustment toward or 'trom each other. The connecting rails are preferably located upon the` front side ot the hase plates as are also :tour snialler pinion plates 110 to 113 inclusive, each oit these plates being rectangular, ot equal size, and arranged in pairs so as to cover areas which entend Ytrom a vertical line drawn through the middle of each base plate to a line which lies close to the connecting end rails. In this manner each pair of pinion plates may be adjusted toward and from each other within certain limits.

Formed on each pinion plate is a recess on its forward Yface of a size and shape to receive two meshing pinions 115 and 11b, these recesses being open upon the side and end oit the plate which lie proximate to the adjacent plate. As appears clearly from Figs. 10 and 11, the general shape of each recess so formed is such as which would be produced by two circles slightly intersecting.

pinions so disposed within each recess are adapted to present their teeth closely adjacent the marginal walls thereof, and, where margins are lacking so as to provide open spaces, the teeth protrude therethrough. ln this manner all of the pinions may be connected up in driving relation, when all ot the pinion plates are interengaged, as represented in Fig. 10. ln other positions oi adjustment the two p'inions in each plate may be so disconnected trom the pinions in the remaining plates as to revolve with entire independence (see Figs. 11 and 10) or be niesl ed with those in either of the adjacent plates (see Figs. 18 and 19).

its represented best in Fig. 12, each pinion is loosely mounted upon a stub shaft 117 extending rearwardly and formed with an annular shoulder 118 adapted to maintain the rear tace ot the pinion in slightly spaced relation from the recessed plate wherein it is accommodated. rlh-e stub shalt which eX- tends rearwardly from the pinion is adapted to revolve within an opening 119 formed in the pinion plate, and entends rearwardly ther-ectx to lie within an elongated slot 120 which is formed in the proximate base plate 105 or 106. rlaose pinions 116 which lie to the inside ot the plate assembly are each secured in place with the aid ot a flange plate 121 which overlies the openings 120, a bolt 122 bearing with its head 123 against this flange plate when its .shank is entered therethrough to be screwed into the stub shaft. A pin 1214 may be used to prevent rotation of the flange plate relative to the stub shaft. By the means described, it is possible to tighten the bolt 122 upon the iange plate 121, the result being that the stub sha-tt is clamped in place in a given position of adjustment longitudinally of the slotted opening 120. lnasmuch as the shoulder 118 bears against the front side of the pinion plate, it taires up the thrust occasioned by the bolt 122, and so leaves its associated pinion tree to revolve.

The four central piniens 116 may each be mounted in place by means such as have been gested. rlhe tour pinions 115 which occupy end positions, however, are each provided vith a rearwardly extending stub shaft ot slightly greater length, so as to afford a tast mounting 'for a ratchet wheel 12, also for an arm 126 which is loosely mounted thereonv the two arms occupying uppermost positions being` each formed with a rearward extension 127, as shown. A bolt 128 whose head bears upon a flange 129 is adapted to lock the arm and pinion in place. Additionally each ot the two arms at the same end ot the plate assembly are further connected as by means of a link 130 (see Fi 13).

Associated with each arm is a pawl 131 pressed by a spring 132 so as to engage the associted ratchet wheel 125. The extension 12"? which is disposed rearwardly of each arm 126 is provided with a plurality of holes through any one of which a bolt 136 may entend to tasten thereto a head piece 183 trom the opposite ends of which are extended pins 1341. Between these pins is an appreciable .space wherein the rocker arms I may freely oscillate, the result being,` that rst one pin and then the other is engaged therebyT to effect a limited swinging movement of each arm 1:26. By properly adjusting,l the position of the head piece 133 an operative movement of the several pinions 115 and 116 may be assured. In this manner an intermittent rotation is imparted to all of the pinions 115 and 116 if the same be interconnected, as shown in Fig. 10, or to any selected group of pinions if the same be adjusted according to any of the suge gested arrangements, as in Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive.

lilith the apparatus heretofore described, chromatic printing may be performed to obtain any of the color combinations suggested in Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive. In these l have represented certain sections of the form as covered with distinctive coloring, the surface shading indicating red, blue, black, and brown for convenient differentiaH tion. The manner in which the printing` operations yare performed will now be eX- plained.

Assuming` that it is desired to print in four colors, the pinion arrangement suggested in Fig. 16 may be used. A quantity of ink is thereupon applied to each of the four blades two of which operate in conjunction with each inking roller, but along); opposite end portions thereof. The travel of the carriage will result in the ink being transferred to the printing rollers, the two in the upper system each receiving two of the colors, but upon separate end portions thereof, and the two printing` rollers in the lower system each receiving the two remaining colors, but along separated end portions thereof. These roller movements, however, do not effect any general distribution of the inlr longitudinally of the printing; rollers. This is accomplished by contact of the roller systems with the plate wherein are assembled the several pinions. By separat-ing` each of the four groups of two pinions in the manner suggested in Fig'. 16, each set of two pinions will cooperate with only one end portion of one pair of printing` rollers. As these pinions lie flush with the recessed plates wherein they are mounted, a contact of the printing,v rollers therewith will effect a distribution of ink along these rollers. By arranging the pinions in accordance with Fig'. 16, there will be no longitudinal transfer of inl: of one color to an area occupied by ink of another color. On the downward stroke of the carriage, an imprint lin four colors will accordingly take place, each color being confined to a predetermined section of the form, as indicated. The form may thereafter be turned around 90, 180 or 270 degrees, as is oesired, and the work again be placed in the press so as to eli'ect a four color print with a proper registration of each color.

A print of three colors may be made according' to the arrangement suggested in Fig. 17. ln this instance, the pinions remain connected as described for F ig'. 16,

but a single color may be spread over two of the form sections instead of applying a different color to each section. This would be accomplished by applying the same color of ink to the same ends of the inling roller of each system.

ln Fig. 18 is shown an arrangement by which printing in two colors is performed. According to this the ink on the printing rollers in one system is distributed from end to end, while ink of a second color is distributed in the same` manner along the printing rollers in the other system. This manner of distributing the ink is brought about by adjusting),` the four pinions in each horizontal row in intermeshing` relation. Another arrangement by which two colors only are printed is shown in Fig. 19, but in this case each printing roller in the two systems receives along its opposite end portions a distinct color of ink which does not mix with the other, owing` to the arrangement of the pinions which are so grouped as to be separated vertically in the middle of the plate assembly, as shown.

l would have it noted that a special advantage results from the use of pinions such as are incorporated in the assembly of the ink distributing,` plate. The peripheral edges of these pinions are not only irregular in contour, but intermesh also, when desired, thus aiding` in the distribution of inlr from one to another. This action is unlike that which would attend the use of disks having,r a smooth circular periphery where the tendency is for the ink to be crowded oli upon the surroundingstationary surfaces.

In the apparatus heretofore described the supply of ink is carried adjacent the two roller systems and accordingly is moved with the carriage. A different arrangement, however, may, if desired, be ein ployed. F igs. 14; and 15 suggest a modification, in that a recess 140 is provided in the plate whereon the distributing` pinions are carried, this recess having an upstanding lip 141 which serves to retain a quantity of ink 142 in place. A. roller 149. is arranged to dip into this supply of ink, the roller being' i'ixedly mounted for rotation about an aXis 11M-. This rolleiI is furthermore so disposed as to receive contact from the printing' rollers as the saine are moved upwardly with travel of the carriage. In this manner ink is transferred thereto. and then distributed theres-ver by means of the pinions heretofore described.

lll)

Except for the tact that this arrangement provides for the ink supply being carried in the plate assembly rather than adjacent the roller systems, theconstruction is the same as that already described.

Figs. 2O to 23 set forth a construction. of latch members by which the inking roller Component of each roller system is automatically restored to operative relation with the other component. Since this differs only in respect oi the special parts now to be described, the remaining elements are unchanged and bear reference numerals the same as those applied to the corresponding elements in the remaining figures.v By the use ot arrows, l have also indicated the direction of travel of the carriage at the moment that the parts assume the positions shown in the diagrammatic Figures 2O to 22 inclusive.

In carrying out the invention, a latch member 15() is shown as secured to the overhanging wall 71 of the inking roller component, this latch being in the form of a spring plate having a bend which provides a hook 151 adapted to engage thc top carriage rail 22. The latch member extends upwardly beyond the hook, and, as shown, inclines slightly outwardly as at 152, then inwardly, as at 153, is then nearly upright, as at 154, and finally terminates in an outwardly inclined lip 155. With the latch member having some such characteristics as these, I employ a finger 15G pivoted to the upper' edge of the distributing` plate 105 as at 157, and arranged to present its acting end 158 in contact with the spring as the carriage approaches its upper' limit of travel. The latch member just described takes care of the inking roller component in the upper roller system, and, as shown, is supplemented by two other exactly similar springs 159 which are connected with the inling roller component of the lower roller system. These latter latch members may be connected thereto the same as pr'eviously described, and are shown as each formed with an inwardly extending horizontal section 160, integral or otherwise, which brings the upper extension of each spring in operative alignment with a pivoted finger 156 one of which is mounted close to each end of the plate 105.

According t0 this construction all three latch members will operate together, b-ut independently, the center one and the two end ones controlling, respectively, the inking 'roller components in the upper andv lower roller systems. From Fig. 20, it will be noted that the latches may engage with the top rail 22, and then with continued upward movement of the carriage the several fingers will be displaced until, in the topmost position, they clear the spring sections 154 and drop into their normal horizontal positions where they rest upon stops 161. downward movement of the carriage, the spring sections 153 are caused to engage the acting end of the fingers and be outwardly displaced thereby, the result being that all the latches are released simultaneously, or nearly so, from engagement with the top rail Q2 permitting the inlring roller component in each roller system to renew its oper ative relation with the other component.

It will be obvious, of course, that this invention includes many details which are susceptible of embodiment in 'forms other than those which have been described and shown. Changes or modifications within the limits ot' the appended claims are, therefore, in contemplation, and will be deemed as falling within the purview of this invention.

I claim: y

1. The combination with a printing press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a duplex roller system mounted on the carriage. the two components of the system being adapted for independent swinging vn'ioveinent `about a common axis, means tor supplying ink to one component of the roller system, and, at times, for transferring the ink therefrom to the other component of the roller system,

and a printing roller included in the latter system adapted to deliver the ink to the form, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a printing press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a duplex roller syste-m mounted on the carriage, the two components oit the roller system being mow able independently of each other about a common aXis, means for supplying ink to one component of the roller system, means for controlling the transfer of ink th reitrom to the other roller system, and means for controlling the delivery of ink from the latter roller system to the form, substantially I as described.

3. The combination with a printing press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other` of' two independently operable duplex roller systems 1nounted on the carriage, the two components of i each roller system being each independently movable about a common axis, means 'for delivering to one component of each system a supply of ink in two colors., means for trans ferring the two'rolors of inlr from each ot said components to the other component in the associatedvroller system, and means for delivering "from the last named components t0 selected portions ot the forni the individual colors of ink, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a printing press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a duplex rolleil system mounted on the carriage, the roller with a system including,` two components each movable independently of the other about a common axis, and each provided with an interengagring roller whereby ink may be transferred from one con'iponent to the other, an ink supply assoriated with one component of the roller system. a printinfr roller included in the other component of the roller system, and means whereby the printing roller is caused to engage only with certain selected portions of the form, substantially as described.

e con'ibination with a printing; press havingl a carriage and a form, one biova i se with respect to the other., of a duplex roller system mounted on the carriage, driving' connection between the several rollers, means for in'ipartingr rotation to the rollers when relative movement takes place between the carriage and the form, the roller system comprisingv two conmonents each movable independently of the other, one component including,` a printing roller and the other an inlring roller. means whereby the driving connection to the inlringr roller is broken during each cycle of relative movement between the carriage and the form, means for restoring at will the drivingr connection to the inlring' roller, means for moving, one component of the roller system relative to the other whereby the inlingr roller is shifted to an inoperative position, means for effecting a return movement of the roller components to reestablish the inlrinp; roller in operative position, means for delivering to the inlrinp; roller a supply of ink, the inlring` roller being adapted to transfer the ink therefrom to the printingroller, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a printing); press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a duplex roller system mounted on the carriage7 the roller system includii'ig` two components each movable independently of the other about a common axis, there being a printing roller in one component and an inkinp,` roller in the other, means for effectinga transfer of ink from one of these rollers to the other when the two components are in one position, means for transferring ink from the printing); roller to the form, and means for chanoiing the relative positions of the two components whereby the transiter of ink therebetween is suspended, said last named means being v operable when relative movement taires place between the carriage and the form, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a printing' press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a duplex roller system mounted on the carriage, the roller system including; two co-axially mounted relatively movable components in one of which is a printing roller and in the other an inkinp; roller, means whereby the print-ing roller is caused to engage with certain selected portions of the form, means for supplying to individual portions of the inlring roller inks which differ in color, means for transferring; such variously colored inks from the inling roller to individual portions of the printing roller, means for distributing each individual color of ink over a selected portion of the printing` roller, and means whereby the printing roller is caused to engage with certain selected portions of the form to imprint thereon the desired colors of ink, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a printing` press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a plurality of independent duplex roller systems mounted on the carriage, each roller system including an inling roller, a printing roller, means for delivering to individual portions of each inking roller a supply of ink, the inking roller being adapted to transfer the ink thereon to individual portions of the printing roller, means for distributing over each individual portion of the printing roller the ink so transferred thereto, and means whereby the several printing rollers are caused to engage with certain selected portions of the form to apply thereto in accordance with a prearranged plan the ink contained on the individual portions of the printing rollers, substantially as described.

9. The combination with a printing press having' a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of a supply of variously colored inks mounted on the carriage, means including a printing roller for transferringr to certain .selected portions of the form the individual colors of ink so mounted onv the carriage, and means for distributing along different portions of the printing' roller the various colors of ink so transferred thereto, said distributing; means including' a plate wheron is mounted a plurality of pinions each of which is adapted to engage with the roller, the pinions being adjustable in the plate to conform to the color scheme employed, and means for rotating the pinions to thereby effect a distribution 0f ink along the different portions of ythe printing roller, substantially as described.

10.,..The combination with a printing,` press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, of an inking roller mounted in the carriage, means for applying to certain selected portions of the printing roller ink of a distinctive color, means for distributing along each such selected portion of the inking roller the ink so applied thereto, said means consisting of a pair of meshing pinions adjustably mounted relative to the inking roller and adapted to engage therewith, means for effecting a relative movement between the carriage and the form and between the carriage and the pinions, and other means associated therewith for rotating the pinions, substantially as described.

11. Means for distributing ink comprising a plurality of plates, a mounting whereon the several plates are adjustably secured in a manner whereby each may be shifted toward or from the others, each plate having on its working side a recess wherein is arranged a pinion which presents one face in substantially flush relation with the working side of the plate, in combination with a printing press having a carriage and a form, means for effecting relative movement between the carriage and form and between the carriage and the ink distributing means, the carriage being provided with a. printing roller adapted vto engage with the several pinions, and means for rotating the pinions whereby a distribution of ink is effected along the several portions of the printing roller with which the pinions engage, substantially as described.

12. Means for distributingink comprising a plurality of grouped pinions, a mounting for each pinion group such that the same may be shifted with respect to the others, and means for rotating all of the pinions, in combination with a press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, there being means also for eecting a relative movement between the plates are mounted adjustably each with respect to the others, there being formed in the working side of each plate a recess, a pair of pinions mounted in the recess of each plate and adapted to mesh with the pinions in the proximate plates when the same are adjusted suitably for this purpose, all of the several pinions being disposed in substantially Hush relation with the working face of the plate, in combination with a press having a carriage and a form, one movable with respect to the other, the carriage and distributing means being also movable with respect to each other, means for effecting such relative movement, other means associated therewith for imparting rotation to the several pinions in the ink distributing means, and a printing roller associated with the carriage adapted to be moved across the.

several pinions whereby the ink on the printing roller is distributed lengthwise thereof with rotation of the pinions, substantially as described.

- H. A. AGRICOLA, JR. 

